The LEAP-NC team has hit Guatemala once again! We are so thrilled to be back at our home away from home. We have already seen some friends and even made some new friends!
Most of all, Elissa, Karin and I can´t wait to see our colleagues and friends at the school on Monday. We look forward to this part of our journey as the LEAP organization every year! We plan to accomplish a lot during this trip as always. The school addition is almost complete, so we plan to focus this trip on meeting with LEAP-Guate team members to make future plans for the organization. We will also meet with other NGO (non-government organizations) to consider partnerships.
Keep checking the blog as we will post as often as possible. Internet access should be much better this year!
Hasta luego...
Kristen
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Sunday, June 15, 2010
Another exciting day planned to view a religious procession in a a village, San Antonio, outside of Antigua. Before we took off, we were surprised with a guest visitor. Rony, a Leap guide that lead us up the volcano several years ago, and his father joined us for the day! Rony filled us in on the sad news of the Volcano erruption that destroyed his home. He was left with nothing and what was once a lush forrest at the base of the volcano now looks like a desert.
As we arrived in San Antonio, We stopped in at the church. Karin and Kristen took Rony up to the alter to pray with him and his family. It was a very emotional moment for all of us.
Later we hurried on to catch the procession. The streets were lined with the most beautiful flowered carpets. The people of San Antonio walked through the streets and came to a family's home to sing and pray on the streets. This was very moving and we felt honored to be apart of this. Josue explained that the procession followed back to the church and Kristen wanted to know "Where's the church?" forgetting that we had just been there. This is our new quote of the trip!
Afterwards, we headed to San Miguel Escobar to see mudslides. Another devestating moment for us all to see how much damage was really done. This was Josue's old village and he showed us where he had to help dig people out of their houses (20 people died, one mother buried in mud holding her infant). This village was destroyed including crops which means no food, nothing to sell, no work.
For lunch, we went to Las Palmas and we were able to treat Rony and his father to a nice meal (we quickly realized that they probably have never been to a restaurant before because they didn’t know how to use knife). Karin, Josue, Rony and his father watched the World cup game at the bar.
That night, since we had unpacked all of the supplies from our own luggage, we then RE-packed all supplies for the school in big suitcases.
We had Josue’s grandmother & Bindy’s mother over for dinner, as well as the kids, who have grown so much (Josue, Daniela, Andrea, Oscar). Elissa Baked cake for Bindy for her birthday & celebrated until really late.
Saturday, June 14, 2010
Saturday, we were up early for an untouristy tour by Bindy of the Saturday Mercado. We walked past beautiful flowers, amazing vegetables…and every bit of anatomy you could imagine of a pig, hanging up for all to see. Of course, Bindy brought all of this to life for us with her wealth of knowledge. She is one talented lady!
We took in all the sights, sounds, and smells of the market and were surprised by how bountiful (the quantity of fruits & vegetables). We bought liches, mangoes, and passionfruit, but we didn’t have our usual vegetable photo opportunity. We chose not to buy papaya b/c some of us think it tastes like smelly feet :)
Later, we met with Elisabeth Bell for a “3 hour tour” (sing it with us!) around the oldest part of Antigua…at first, we almost ditched the tour because we try hard not to look like touristy gringas and we were worried because the tour group grew to about 30 other tourists. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the depth of knowledge that she shared and we all learned quite a bit of history & architecture & art that we haven’t seen in the past 4 years.
We walked around the Cathedral, the ruins, a Mayan crypt, the mayoral office, a jade museum, Hotel Santo Domingo (which holds some incredible art pieces now), and the city streets. Afterwards, we picked Elisabeth’s brain about what we are doing with LEAP & she gave us some good suggestions for contacts to make while we’re here.
We were so validated to hear that what we’ve been doing with our school in El Sitan for the past 4 years is exactly what Elisabeth Bell recommends to truly make a difference in the future of this country. Coming from someone who is very active with NGOs here & has lived in the country for over 40 years, this was exciting to hear.
In the afternoon, we ate at Dona Luisa’s, Karin went to Cookie’s to watch the US World Cup game. When we got home with our freshly baked chocolate and banana bread, we just took it easy to prepare for a long week ahead. (Tried to use the internet & phone)
Friday, June 13, 2010
We've been feeling pretty overwhelmed with the thought of catching everyone up on the blog when so much has happened, so we brainstormed as a group and decided to blog a summary of each day up until now so that you will have an idea of what we've been up to here in Guatemala.
Friday- June 13, 2010:
We departed for Guatemala, and all we can say is that it was a Long day. We were up at 3:00 am that morning to catch our flight. We traveled from CLT to ATL to GUA to Antigua and our funny event of the day was that Kristen got frisked for bringing shampoo. Natalie & Ann were on a different flight to ATL and they just made the flight due to a delay in CLT. We were all getting worried but with 5 minutes to spare, they finally came on. We cheered & then settled into the flight.
We were welcomed into Guatemala with warm smiles from Josue and his family. They really do make this place feel like home. As we arrived in Antigua, we were then welcomed to our BEAUTIFUL home. The house is new, but done in old style of Antigua with a central courtyard, rooms each open into a covered walkway. With open air, this home feels like it is just out of a magazine and it is like being outside while you’re inside. There are 4 bedrooms, and there is a fountain in the courtyard that is like music to our ears (Karin reenacted the fountain off the main plaza for those of you who have been in Guate)
We soon realized that our internet was not working. That night night it rained very very very hard.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
we've got internet!!!
After a week and a half here, we finally have reconnected with internet. we've been jotting down notes all week & will post asap. In the meantime, if you haven't seen some of our pics, join our facebook fan page & see those! (LEAP--Learn, Explore, Achieve, Partner)
!Hasta pronto!
!Hasta pronto!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Finally...a blog
Lunes, 14 de Junio
After a very rainy Sunday, we awoke early to clear skies and a gorgeous rising sun that gave us the clearest view we have had yet of Fuego, one of the volcanoes that looms over Antigua and seemingly right over our house! Karin and Maria left really early and walked over to a nice Antiguan hotel in hopes of Skyping with Fox News because our internet was down. Unfortunately, Fox news was experiencing technical difficulties. Maybe tomorrow???
Our suitcases, full of school and medical supplies, were loaded and waiting at the door when Josue and Bindy came to pick us up and take and almost hour down the road to our first morning at the El Sitan school! I know as a first timer I was so excited to see this school that the Leap Team had been talking so passionately about for so long, and I was so excited to meet the school children. I am sure that Ann and Sharon, also newcomers were feeling the same way.
We were greeted with unbelievable warmth, excitement and appreciation by the teachers, staff and students of El Sitan. All I can say is WOW! They did everything within their means to let us know how excited and how happy they were to see us with the students waving long skinny balloons around and preparing a bed of fresh pine needles to walk in on and by handing each of us a cut rose . During the program they had prepared for our “kickoff ceremony,” select students from each grade level performed a song or a dance for us which was just an incredibly touching experience for me, and I was completely captivated by the faces of the children and their smiles.
Later, the children played while we looked at the recent construction. Elissa, Karin and The LEAP team was so excited about seeing the concrete start to rise and the walls of the addition taking shape. I felt at that time truly honored to be a representing so many folks associated with CSD(parents, teachers and others from the community) who had helped to make this vision of building an addition a reality.
Mid-morning meant tea-time, and we sat down with the teachers from El Sitan and Moises and shared Lipton’s hot tea, cookies and apples. Karin (aka Senora Karina) chatted” one hundred miles a minute” with the teachers; the trusting relationship that LEAP has previously established with this Guatemalan family was evident. Laughter was contagious and abundant!
And now for the grand finale of our first day –since we didn’t have time to get into art lessons or medical checks—we would teach the cupid shuffle of course! Now this was truly a sight to behold. Visualize this…. Maria Kertez on a small platform modeling the steps, the cupid shuffle song blasting in the background, and over 100 Guatemalan children and young people laughing, shuffling and shaking “their stuff” en masse. I was taking photos from every angle I could, laughing hysterically as Karin and Kristen, being their silly selves, got the older boys in the back dancing. Sharon and Maria were starting to break a sweat as the song played over and over and the “shuffling “ continued for quite some time!
Children crowded around me to see the photos I had taken. When I showed them their image on the screen they were truly tickled and thrilled. Some ran to grab a little sister or an amigo(a) and requested una photografa! It was tremendous fun for me to photograph as many faces as I could and then have them swarm around me in droves!
And so… the somewhat formal morning ended with complete informality, lots of laughter and lots of hugs! I felt all the awkwardness and barriers that a a first-timer might feel completely wash away. Everyone hugged again and shouts of “Hasta Luego” were resonating everywhere! See you tomorrow…See you tomorrow…See you tomorrow!!!! I can’t wait!
Natalie
After a very rainy Sunday, we awoke early to clear skies and a gorgeous rising sun that gave us the clearest view we have had yet of Fuego, one of the volcanoes that looms over Antigua and seemingly right over our house! Karin and Maria left really early and walked over to a nice Antiguan hotel in hopes of Skyping with Fox News because our internet was down. Unfortunately, Fox news was experiencing technical difficulties. Maybe tomorrow???
Our suitcases, full of school and medical supplies, were loaded and waiting at the door when Josue and Bindy came to pick us up and take and almost hour down the road to our first morning at the El Sitan school! I know as a first timer I was so excited to see this school that the Leap Team had been talking so passionately about for so long, and I was so excited to meet the school children. I am sure that Ann and Sharon, also newcomers were feeling the same way.
We were greeted with unbelievable warmth, excitement and appreciation by the teachers, staff and students of El Sitan. All I can say is WOW! They did everything within their means to let us know how excited and how happy they were to see us with the students waving long skinny balloons around and preparing a bed of fresh pine needles to walk in on and by handing each of us a cut rose . During the program they had prepared for our “kickoff ceremony,” select students from each grade level performed a song or a dance for us which was just an incredibly touching experience for me, and I was completely captivated by the faces of the children and their smiles.
Later, the children played while we looked at the recent construction. Elissa, Karin and The LEAP team was so excited about seeing the concrete start to rise and the walls of the addition taking shape. I felt at that time truly honored to be a representing so many folks associated with CSD(parents, teachers and others from the community) who had helped to make this vision of building an addition a reality.
Mid-morning meant tea-time, and we sat down with the teachers from El Sitan and Moises and shared Lipton’s hot tea, cookies and apples. Karin (aka Senora Karina) chatted” one hundred miles a minute” with the teachers; the trusting relationship that LEAP has previously established with this Guatemalan family was evident. Laughter was contagious and abundant!
And now for the grand finale of our first day –since we didn’t have time to get into art lessons or medical checks—we would teach the cupid shuffle of course! Now this was truly a sight to behold. Visualize this…. Maria Kertez on a small platform modeling the steps, the cupid shuffle song blasting in the background, and over 100 Guatemalan children and young people laughing, shuffling and shaking “their stuff” en masse. I was taking photos from every angle I could, laughing hysterically as Karin and Kristen, being their silly selves, got the older boys in the back dancing. Sharon and Maria were starting to break a sweat as the song played over and over and the “shuffling “ continued for quite some time!
Children crowded around me to see the photos I had taken. When I showed them their image on the screen they were truly tickled and thrilled. Some ran to grab a little sister or an amigo(a) and requested una photografa! It was tremendous fun for me to photograph as many faces as I could and then have them swarm around me in droves!
And so… the somewhat formal morning ended with complete informality, lots of laughter and lots of hugs! I felt all the awkwardness and barriers that a a first-timer might feel completely wash away. Everyone hugged again and shouts of “Hasta Luego” were resonating everywhere! See you tomorrow…See you tomorrow…See you tomorrow!!!! I can’t wait!
Natalie
Thursday, June 10, 2010
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